Saraswati (deity)
Saraswati is a revered deity in Hindu mythology, embodying knowledge, intellect, arts, creativity, and skills. Known as the consort of Brahma, the god of creation, she is considered the giver of self-knowledge, with her name reflecting the essence of knowledge and the highest self. Visually, Saraswati is often depicted as a graceful woman in a saree, seated on a white lotus, and adorned with four arms that hold a Veena, a book or scroll, and prayer beads. She is associated with various symbols, including the peacock and swan, which signify beauty and wisdom, respectively. Worshipped primarily by students and seekers of knowledge, Saraswati is also recognized in other cultures, such as Japan, where she is called Benzaiten and associated with music and all forms of flow. The celebration of her festival, Vasant Panchami, includes rituals that mark the beginning of learning for children. As a significant figure in both Hinduism and other religions like Jainism and Buddhism, her influence spans both spiritual and practical realms of knowledge and arts.
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Saraswati (deity)
Symbols: Veena (string instrument); prayer beads; book; swan
Culture: Hindu mythology
Father: Brahma
Siblings: Surya
Goddess Saraswati is revered in Hindu mythology as the Devi, or goddess of knowledge, intellect, arts, creativity and skills. She is believed to be the giver of self-knowledge. Sara means the essence of all knowledge and Swa means the highest self. She is the consort of Brahma, who is the god of creation in Hinduism and as such, she is herself the embodiment of knowledge. By virtue of being Brahma’s consort, she is also called the mother of the creation and is associated with fertility. She is depicted as a beautiful and graceful woman draped in a long piece of cloth called a saree in Hindu culture, sitting on a white lotus. She has four arms. In two of them she is holding a Veena, a stringed musical instrument, and a book or a palm leaf scroll and prayer beads in the others. The goddess is seen riding a peacock or a swan. She is worshipped by students and seekers of higher knowledge. She is also known as Vak Devi, or the goddess of speech, since it is through speech that knowledge finds an expression. In one of the oldest Vedic or ancient Hindu texts called the Rig Veda, she has been mentioned as the deity of a river. She is also worshipped in countries like Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal among others. She has several names based on the qualities epitomized by her form in the Vedic texts. She is also called Sarada, Brahmi, Mahavidya (one who holds the supreme knowledge), Maha-vani or the giver of the transcendent word, and Kamadhenu (similar to a wish-fulfilling cow).
In Mythology
According to Hindu mythology, there was chaos in the creation in the beginning. Brahma the creator was perplexed and did not know how to bring order in the creation. At a time of absolute confusion, an intuitive voice told him that only knowledge could resolve the chaos. Saraswati is then believed to have manifested from Brahma’s mouth. Symbolically, with the gifts of communication, thought, cognizance, music, and understanding—qualities represented by goddess Saraswati—the chaos was settled. According to some other versions, Saraswati is also believed to be Brahma’s daughter, since she came out of him.
According to some accounts, Saraswati is also called Gayatri or the Gayatri mantra, a sacred Hindu chant. In other accounts, they are said to be two different forms of the same Shakti or divine feminine energy. It is said that once Gayatri fell deeply in love with her brother, Surya, the sun god. Such was her love that she merged her identity into a mantra or sacred chant that came to be dedicated to the sun god. Hindus believe her powers and blessings can be invoked on chanting the Gayatri Mantra. Some texts represent Saraswati as being different from Gayatri. According to the Skanda Purana, an ancient Hindu religious text, Gayatri was the second wife of Brahma. In one of the stories mentioned in this text, there was once a Yagnya or a purifying ceremony being performed in Pushkar (present day India) for pleasing the rain gods. During the sacrifice, there was a rule that no man could sit without his wife by his side. While Brahma was already present at the place of ceremony, Saraswati was not to be seen. She sent the messenger back with a message saying, "I have not yet completed my dress, nor arranged several affairs. Lakshmi, and Bhavani, and Ganga, and Svaha, and Indrani (other goddesses), and the wives of the other gods and of the holy sages, have not yet arrived, and how therefore can I enter the assembly alone?" (Wilkins, n.p) Norms of the ceremony demanded that the sacrifice be performed at a given time and no later. Indra, one of the gods present at the ceremony, was asked to fetch a wife for Brahma immediately. Indra brought along a young beautiful milkmaid called Gayatri. Brahma thus married Gayatri and ordained her as the mother of all Vedas or ancient religious scriptures. This angered Saraswati, who is believed to have cursed Brahma along with the gods and sages present at the ceremony for putting her through the embarrassment of having to see her husband marry a second woman. Saraswati cursed Brahma that there will be no temples dedicated to him and that nobody will worship him.
Origins and Cults
Saraswati is one of the few Hindu goddesses who remained relevant from the Vedic period around 1500–1100 BCE to current times. Sometimes worshiped as a river deity, but most often worshipped as the one who bestows knowledge, intellect, creativity, and power, she has also been called Ved Mata or the mother of all the Vedas. She is worshipped and celebrated on the fifth day after the arrival of spring during a festival called Vasant Panchami. On this day, many wear yellow clothes, representing the color of fertility and knowledge. Among many Hindu families, children are taught to write their first letters on this day in a special ceremony called Vidya Aarambham or "the beginning of learning." Saraswati has also found a place of respect in other religions such as Jainism and Buddhism.
As a deity of spiritual knowledge and learning, the symbols associated with Saraswati hold great meaning. Saraswati is depicted riding or sitting beside a peacock, which represents worldly beauty. Her form shows total yet delicate control over the peacock and what it represents. She is also portrayed riding a swan, which signifies wisdom. The swan is said to have the ability to separate milk from water and thus the ability to exercise discretion. The lotus, or the seat of Saraswati, represents her authority over the absolute non-dual truth. She holds a musical instrument in two hands and a book in the third, depicting a balance between music, art, the intellect, and the sciences. The music or sound created through instruments brings the student in harmony with knowledge. The prayer beads represent spiritual practices such as Japa (chanting) and meditation. This symbolically means introspection goes hand in hand with accumulation of knowledge and information.
Bibliography
Gruenwald, Christine, and Peter Marchand. "Saraswati." Sanatan Society. Sanatan Society, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu‗gods‗and‗goddesses/saraswati.htm>.
Kinsley, David R. Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition. Berkeley: U of California P, 1986. Print.
Nathan, R. S. Symbolism in Hinduism. Bombay: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, 1983. Print.
"Sarasvati." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/topic/Sarasvati>.
Wilkins, W. J. Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic. London: Curzon, 1973. Print.